Past News and Events (continued)
40 Years of Mistakes and Regret - October 2007
Saturday 27th October 2007 marked the passing of the Abortion Act 1967.
Silent No More! - May 2007
The national Silent No More campaign came to Nottingham on Saturday the 12th of May. Shoppers passed by quietly as ordinary women gave their harrowing testimonies. Many people stopped to hear about the aftermath that abortion brought to the lives of these brave women. And of the healing they eventually found outside of abortion services.
These were extraordinary yet everyday accounts. And this was an apparently ordinary, yet truly momentous day. For this was almost certainly the first time in Nottingham, that the truth about abortion was publicly spoken on the streets - by women who know. These were not professional speakers, or extremists, but ordinary women. Women so frustrated at the lies they'd been told as they'd been sold on abortion, that they were now prepared to stand up and be 'silent no more'.
More 2007 Highlights
Street stands in West Bridgford in March June and October.
Annual Pro life chain (silent public witness)
Sponsorship for student to the SPUC national conference in Leeds.
When a West Bridgford school decided to introduce a clinic providing the morning after pill to girls, Nottingham Branch helped efforts to inform parents about what was really involved. Our contribution included leafleting, an open evening, and publicity on the local radio stations as well as mention in the press.
Highlights 2006
- AGM October 2006
- National Conference 15-17th September 2006
- Pro-life Chain - 29th April 2006
National Conference - September 2005
Just a reminder that this year's national conference will be 16-18 Sept.
Undying flame - June 2005
The undying flame came to the Good Shepherd Church in June. Events included a Mass of Reparation, Holy Hour, an information evening, prayer events and a final 'Mass of Thanksgiving for Life'.
Silent Witness - April 2005
Our roadside witness event turned out very well, thanks to those who came and those who could not but supported us in other ways on the day. It was also very good to have 3 of our colleagues from Lincoln branch along this year. Afterwards, members heard from a number of acquaintances who'd seen them on the day and later expressed approval. There were also many favourable responses from passers by, with no acrimony. Excellent weather as well!
Celebrate Life Rally - October 2004 in London
This is not a SPUC event per-say but we lend our support.
Information Evening - February 2004
An open information evening on pro-life issues and the work of SPUC, was held at the Holy Spirit Church Social Centre in West Bridgford, including:
- a presentation on abortion
- information on care for women who have had abortions
- time for questions.
Mass Lobby of Parliament 27-28th April 2004
Our group had 8 members attend the 'Mass Lobby': an occasion to talk to local MPs about concerns over the Mental Incapacity Bill provisions and how it might facilitate euthanasia. Many in the group reported interested responses from their MPs.
Choose Life Day (29/6/2003)
29th June was "Choose Life Day". At least 14 people made up the Nottingham contingent, among what looked like a total turn-out approaching 4,000 people. The main parade was around a dozen people wide along the entire length of one side of Whitehall: fronted by a figure dressed as Archangel Gabriel on his charger, the Holy Family, the Ark... Earlier on, at Trafalgar square, our people heard a number of motivating speakers, saw various children's entertainments and enjoyed excellent weather throughout. Afterwards some attended an excellent musical requiem for the unborn at Westminster central hall, then Mass at Westminster Cathedral. Finally those who still had legs beneath them helped light thousands of candles on Parliament square. The level of reporting on the event was disappointing: sympathetic elements in the press missed an important and colourful piece of news!
Anyone for Cricket? (8/6/2003)
A couple of local churches (Holy Spirit and The Assumption) kindly arranged a sponsored cricket match in support of both SPUC & Life. The match took place on Sunday 8th June, at the West Bridgfordians Cricket Ground.
Spectators braved stormy weather to see the Assumption Beeston team beat the Holy Spirit CC by 12 runs. Thanks to all those who took part or supported.
Pro-Life Chain (26/04/2003)
What could be more worthwhile and important than to peacefully witness for those with no voice? Or to raise awareness of how mothers can be traumatised by the deliberate taking of their unborn children's lives? On Saturday 26th April 2003, a number of our members and supporters commemorated the 35th anniversary of the effective date of the Abortion Act 1967, by a pro-life 'chain' along Gregory Boulevard. This 'chain' was a peaceful act of witness consisting simply of standing by the roadside with placards bearing short statements in support of the unborn. Passers-by took the opportunity to discuss issues, while motorists and their passengers expressed a variety of views. We feel sure that at least some people will have thought more about these important issues as a result of our witness.
Morning After Pill in Nottingham Schools (01/04/2003)
The 1st of April 2003 marked a truly authoritative and informative presentation by Dr David Paton at our public meeting at the International Centre, Nottingham. A concerned and captivated audience heard soundly researched evidence about current policies aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy through the provision of access to birth control. One of the causes for concern here, lies in the potential side effects of the Morning After Pill on young girls, not to mention any children they might conceive. Yet a major part of these policies is confidentiality, which means that at school, the very place entrusted by parents with the care of their children, it is possible for daughters as young as 11 to be put repeatedly at risk without the parents ever being told. Whilst parents might be aware of a particular school's policy on the Morning After Pill, they are often powerless to opt out. Many of course would not choose to do so, since the real issues are so rarely aired, that the fear of a daughter becoming pregnant seems greater than any qualms about pills. But what if the facts were more widely known? Facts like:
- the Morning After Pill contains doses of steroids some 25 times higher than the 'contraceptive mini-pill'
- two such pills are taken in 12 hours.
Of course it is not only the parents who can be kept entirely in the dark. Unless the daughter agrees, the GP won't be told either, so who will know what has gone wrong if the young woman becomes ill? Ectopic pregnancies are more likely after the Morning After Pill has been taken. Even worse, there is no research to show that providing these pills in schools will actually reduce teenage pregnancy. Add to this the danger that the Morning After Pill in schools will encourage youngsters to have unprotected sex and may contribute to the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections amongst the young. Isn't it time for a rethink?
Dr Paton is the author of "The Economics of Family Planning and Underage Conceptions" and Head of the Economics Division Nottingham University Business School.
Family Planning for Under-Age Women?
Dr David Paton, a Nottingham SPUC member, spoke at the SPUC 2002 National Conference last September, in his capacity as Head of the Economics Division at the Nottingham University Business School.
He explained about his research, published in the prestigious Journal of Health Economics, which demonstrated that recent UK policies to increase access to family planning for under age women had not reduced rates of under age pregnancies or abortions. The controversy surrounding the publication of David's research lead a group of MPs, including both those who are pro-life and those who are pro-abortion, to call for local authorities to monitor the impact of new policies like:
- providing the morning after pill in schools and in supermarkets to under sixteens without their parent's knowledge,
- on pregnancy,
- on abortion and
- on sexually transmitted infection rates in their areas.
Pro-Life Chain 2002
On the 27th of April 2002 we commemorated the 34th anniversary of the effective date of the Abortion Act 1967, by a pro-life 'chain' along Gregory Boulevard. This 'chain' was a peaceful act of witness consisting simply of standing by the roadside with placards bearing short statements in support of the unborn. Some passers-by took the opportunity to discuss issues and one even asked to hold a placard with us.
Undying Flame 2002
Early in 2002, the Undying Flame (see picture) visited the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas in the centre of Nottingham. The Flame was and remains a prompt to us all: a focus for meditation, prayer and action in support of the unborn - that they be given the proper respect all humans deserve.
The official arrival of the flame was preceded by a 'liturgy of life' by pupils of the Trinity School, Nottingham. The students left an inspiring display of thoughts and prayers which stood as a back-drop to the Undying Flame. The official arrival on the 21st March 2002 was marked by mid-day Mass at the Cathedral, at the end of which one of our local members gave a short talk, emphasising the very current challenges facing society's most vulnerable members and everyone's collective part in this. The flame remained at the Cathedral until the second week of May.
